April 27, 2006

StreetTalk

by Carol Rosen

Gas prices are up an average of 25 cents per gallon nationally. How is this impacting your driving habits? What’s your opinion of the cause of the increased prices?
(Asked at Almaden Center)


“It really doesn’t impact my driving because my parents pay for my gas. If I had to pay, I probably wouldn’t be driving as far for random lunches. I’m not going to spend $6 to drive to have lunch with my friends even if I do love them. I think the oil companies are trying to make more money because they did the same thing last September with the hurricanes and they didn’t have to.”

Justine Kirkeide, 18
Almaden
Senior at Pioneer


“My parents don’t pay for my gas, since I have a job I have to pay for it. So the increase in prices has made me plan out more carefully where I’m going—I work in downtown San Jose. I try to find more ways to carpool. I think the oil companies are just trying to make more money.”

Charleigh France, 18
Almaden
Senior at Pioneer


“Right now it hasn’t affected me because I have to go where I have to go. It’s a straight line to school and back. I’m also glad I get 25 miles to the gallon. The oil companies are just trying to make more money. I sympathize with the gas station owners because don’t make a lot. There’s manipulators everywhere you look.”

Scott Murray, 37
Almaden
Retired


“I’m not driving as much because I’m retired and on a fixed income and I can’t afford [to pay the increases] it. When I do have to drive, I do a bunch of things together. When you’re retired you’re on a fixed income. I think it’s terrible, and I resent the fact the oil companies are making all time high profits and the Republicans in the house voted down a bill to tax the excessive profits.”

Jamie Van De Ven, 58
Saratoga
Retired


“It doesn’t bother me much because I don’t drive much, I ride my bike. The high prices are caused by greedy hedge fund and commodity traders on Wall Street. The oil companies are as big of pawns as we are.”

Frank Deluna, 56
Blossom Valley
Retired animal control officer


“Yes, it’s made a difference, we ride bikes an average of 100 miles per week. We have a V8 Denali at home and we’re going to sell it and keep the gas-saving cars. The oil companies have caused this increase and it’s political because the politicians are supporting it to pay back the oil companies for their support during the elections. The government does a lot of talking but hasn’t done anything to move the prices lower.”

Danny Aulman, 58
Almaden
Retired


“I just drive around town. It hasn’t impacted my driving on a daily basis. The higher prices are certainly not caused by shortages, but by the oil companies. It doesn’t seem like a normal increase.”

Christine Garwood
Los Gatos
Homemaker